226 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



a considerable period in autumn, a time when shrubs in flower are scarce, 

 consequently its value is enhanced. It is not, unfortunately, hardy 

 generally, but is well worth a place against a wall. Avoid planting in 

 cold, bleak situations, and use, if possible, a soil consisting of fibrous 

 loam and leaf -mould, with the addition of a little coarse silver sand or 

 grit. To ensure a thorough ripening of the wood, select a sunny position. 

 The white-flowered form is not so hardy as the type, and the flowers are 

 produced rather sparingly. 



The Ceanothuses are delightfully free-flowering shrubs, but un- 

 fortunately not sufficiently hardy for general outdoor planting north 

 of London, as they suffer in severe winters. For clothing warm walls, 

 especially if the soil is fairly rich and the drainage ample, they are ex- 

 cellent, and few shrubs are more brilliant in summer. C. americamis 

 (New Jersey Tea) comes from America, and bears an abundance of white 

 flowers ; it is very hardy and ornamental. C. Veitchianus, from California, 

 is of free growth, and very showy when bearing its clusters of bright blue 

 flowers. C. dentatus has deeply-toothed leaves and rich blue flowers, 

 borne in advance of those of the last named. It is very free-flowering, 

 and continues in blossom for about four months. C. papillosus and C. 

 verrucosus are very floriferous and ornamental. C. rigidus, with deep 

 blue flowers, is one of the most beautiful of all. It thrives on a wall with 

 soil, west or south exposure. C. azureus, introduced from Mexico early 

 in the nineteenth century, is a compact, free-growing shrub, often many 

 feet in height when suitably placed. Its bright blue flowers appear from 

 midsummer onwards. The writer is acquainted with a gardener at 

 Ealing in Middlesex, where the shrub has grown to the roof ; the aspect 

 is south. Of the many beautiful garden forms belonging to this species 

 the following are worthy of mention here. Gloire de Versailles is the 

 most popular. It is free in growth, with large leaves, and bright blue 

 flowers, borne in long racemes. Marie Simon is another good kind ; 

 and Albert Pettitt, Indigo (a rich indigo colour), Lucy Simon, Albidus, 

 and Arnoldi are noteworthy too. 



Cercis Siliquastrum (Judas Tree) is a beautiful tree when laden 

 with its wealth of rosy-purple blossoms, which appear in spring before 

 the kidney-shaped, glossy green leaves. It is a small growing, freely 

 branched tree, and succeeds fairly well in dry sandy soil, but it produces 

 the best growth by the lake or stream side, and in such a position the 

 flowers are not only deeper in colour, but they remain in good condition 

 for a much longer time than those produced in sandy soil. It may be 

 planted also against a wall. 



Chimonanthus fragrans (Winter Sweet). This should be re- 

 presented in every garden where hardy shrubs are treasured for their 

 flowers. It was introduced from Japan upwards of one hundred and 

 thirty years ago, and is of strong growth, especially when planted in 

 deep, rich, moist soil, and as its soft yellow flowers are produced in mid- 

 winter along the leafless twigs, it should be given a prominent place to 

 reveal its beauty. The variety grandiflorus bears larger flowers than 

 the type, but they are not so strongly scented. The Chimonanthus 





